Whether it’s in a professional studio or from the comfort of your home, working out in different places can be convenient and refreshing.
We don’t always have the time to get to the gym, after all – and every now and then we may simply want to exercise in private. Because of this, home workouts are becoming increasingly popular, and many people are implementing a mixed fitness routine that includes both home and studio workouts.
To achieve our exercise goals, it’s important that we’re not limited by our environment. Life is unpredictable, and we may often find ourselves spending more time away from traditional gyms or workout studios. If you’ve ever considered working out from home, read on as F45 compares the benefits of gym vs home workouts to empower your fitness journey.
The benefits of home workouts
Home workouts are ideal for their convenience, and for the time and control they put back into your day: whether that’s following a virtual fitness class from your lounge, or enjoying resistance training in your garage.
Ahead, we’ll explore the benefits of working out from home.
1. Convenience and lifestyle
Home workouts tend to be the easier choice when it comes to exercising on a whim. There’s no need to travel, you’re free to work out whenever it suits you, and you can shower, cook or eat straight after.
You’ll have heard somebody say, “I know I’ll keep going to the gym if it’s nearby”. Well, home workouts can be the optimal solution – and they’re cost-effective, too. Convenience should be considered wherever you’d like to work out, as it supports consistency and helps you stay motivated.
2. Less time consuming
When comparing gym vs home workouts, there are two main ways home fitness can save you time. For one, you don’t have to travel; and, for another, you don’t have to wait for machines or equipment to be free.
By freeing up time, you gain flexibility and have more time to focus on nutrition, sleep quality and recovery. The actual time you choose to exercise is also dependent on your own schedule – giving you room to prioritise tasks throughout the day.
3. Calm and personal environment
Comfort can play a fundamental role in our confidence when working out – and usually, we’re most comfortable at home.
During a home workout, we can cater the environment to support our physical performance. This can be seen through simple things – like blasting our favourite exercise music through the stereo, or wearing clothes geared more towards feeling comfortable than looking amazing.
For people who experience social anxiety, working out from home vs the gym can also help them stay focused, and reduce the feeling of being observed¹. This is a huge benefit for anyone who may need to take a step back during the week and reduce incoming stress.
F45 trainer Jordi Duff says, “If you’re a ‘lone wolf’, who values your own space and thrives in a quieter exercise environment, home workouts can be beneficial. “Home workouts also offer you the flexibility to get up and train when you like, but ask yourself these questions: Are you following a program? Are your workouts fun? And are you training with intent? If you answered ‘no’ to any of these, then I would highly recommend experiencing a studio workout.”
The benefits of studio workouts
There are plenty of advantages when it comes to studio workouts, especially for those who need that extra dose of motivation.
For one, venturing to a studio can also be convenient: you don’t have to plan your workout, and each class has all the equipment you’ll need. The atmosphere itself can be motivating, too – especially if you prefer people working out around you and trainers providing direction.
Whether you’re in the mood for a home workout or ready to be in a more social atmosphere – discover the benefits of joining a workout studio below.
1. Fewer distractions
Studio workouts are organised to maximise your performance. Expert trainers are there to clearly explain each exercise and support your form to prevent injury. And, because the workout is driven by those trainers, it challenges you to follow exercise progressions and stick to specific rest times.
A studio environment can be a particularly beneficial change if you have kids, or work from home. Setting up a separate space to exercise can allow for more personal progression and less chance of being pulled somewhere else mid-workout.
2. Motivating atmosphere
Training has highs and lows, and everyone will experience these ups and downs – whether due to stress, lack of sleep, or personal factors – throughout the month.
Rest assured, though: if you’re not feeling self-motivated, the trainers, the environment itself, and your fellow class members can lift your mood and energy levels in a workout studio. Participation in group fitness classes can actually propel your enjoyment during class, as well as your physical exertion². Many people also find it motivating to have an external source of accountability and sense of routine to their exercise regime, which scheduled studio workouts provide. “There’s more energy and intensity in a studio workout,” says Jordi. All the equipment you need is readily at your disposal, and you’ll be pushed by your coaches – as well as the like-minded people community of people around you.”
3. Sense of community
The social connections you can form in a gym remain one of the greatest benefits studio workouts have to offer.
Whether these connections support your social life or workout goals (or both), there’s a feeling of support and familiarity that comes with it. The trainers at F45 ensure the environment is welcoming and encourage members to communicate and push each other during each session. This can be a positive factor for those who thrive in stimulating environments or who require that extra ‘push’.
With a studio workout, you can find a sense of comfortability in the group environment, and camaraderie with your fellow gym-goers. It’s common for members to congratulate each other on new personal bests and share nutrition and wellness tips: be those from their unique experiences during the F45 Challenge, or simply their usual routine.
Jordi adds, “The positive energy you’ll draw from the coaches and community around you means you’ll walk out of the studio radiating endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin to boost your mood. Why wouldn’t you want to go back to a place that puts a smile on your face every time you’re there?”
How to incorporate both studio and home workouts
If you’re juggling a busy schedule, working out from home and the gym (also known as hybrid training) has many benefits – and, by taking advantage of both environments, you can create a balanced lifestyle while smashing your goals.
At home, you’re more likely to lift lighter weights based on availability. For this reason, it’s a good idea to alternate the days you’re working out at gym and home to support muscle recovery. Below, we’ll provide an example of what a workout routine that includes gym and home workouts could look like.
- Monday: Home workout. Various body weight exercises
- Tuesday: Studio or gym workout. High intensity resistance training.
- Wednesday: Recovery session. Active recovery in your home or at an exercise studio.
- Thursday: Home workout. Various body weight exercises.
- Friday: Studio or gym workout. Hybrid training, improving strength, cardio and agility.
- Saturday: Studio or gym workout. Strength training.
- Sunday: Rest day.
Here, we’ve covered how to harness working out from home and the gym to elevate your fitness – and build a balanced exercise regime. Next, learn about the benefits of aerobic exercise for your health.
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827729/
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6756792/
